The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

EVEN though it was in July when the men’s national volleyball team turned in their historic performance at the Senior Caribbean Volleyball Championships, the Bahamas Volleyball Federation and the players are still looking for some type of celebrations.

The team, coached by Joseph ‘Joe Mo’ Smith and DeVince Smith, won gold in the tournament in St Croix, US Virgin Islands, over perennial kingpins Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados. And, as a result, the team has now qualified to compete in the NORCECA Tournament in the Dominican Republic next month, which serves as a qualifier for the World Championships.

Smith said the players just want some type of recognition, considering that this was the first time that the Bahamas has won the Sr CVC title.

“The federation shares the same sentiments as the men,” said Smith, who serves as the first vice president of the federation.

“We felt we won the gold at the wrong time. We’re not trying to size ourselves up with them (the ‘Golden Knights’) but in a team sport, I think we have accomplished a lot. We are number one in the Caribbean. We have qualified now for the Pan Am Games and the NORCECA Championships for winning the tournament. Wherever there is a NORCECA Tournament, we will represent the Caribbean. So it’s a big plus. It’s 14-plus years that the Bahamas has won the CVC Tournament. So I feel there should be

recognition. It’s hurtful. Nothing has been said and no one has come forth and recognised these guys.”

Smith said it reminded him of when the men’s national basketball team finished as runners-up at the Caribbean Basketball Championships at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium two years ago.

“We’re the number one team in the region, so I’m very disappointed,” Smith said.

Having watched the enthusiasm that was exhibited for the “Golden Knights”, Smith said the players would have been pleased if they had only received some type of national recognition in the form of a “welcome home ceremony” and a “motorcade” through the streets of New Providence.

On their return home, both Prince Wilson and Byron Ferguson have been afforded professional contracts and are currently participating in Denmark. The duo, along with Renaldo Knowles and Mueller Petit, just fell short of qualifying the Bahamas for its first appearance in beach volleyball at the Olympic Games.

Smith said this just shows the level of respect that the Bahamas has achieved in the sport of volleyball. He noted that both Wilson and Ferguson are expected to return home on September 27 to join the men’s national team as they head to Curacao for the World Championship qualifying tournament.

“Other countries can see what we have and are signing them to contracts and using them,” he said. “Here it is, our own is here and we can’t take the time out to recognise them.”